Concord June 29.
[in pencil] 1838
Dear brother,
Your letter of the 22 - is the first we
have received since your return to Spencer - I should
have written, could I have told you that mother
had got well, or any thing new about her
lameness - She is stronger, + can walk with
one crutch - but the irruption has never quite left her
feet, though it has been nearly well, several times -
She has had a wash for it lately, + it is showered
daily, which agrees with it - We finally got tired of
trying one thing, + applied to D. gallop for advice
I am in hopes now she will not be troubled with
it much longer. - We had an unexpected
visit from Caroline + Edmund Jr. which we
enjoyed very much - She came last week on
Monday + returned saturday - She sent us no
word - She felt sure of finding mother at home -
Mr Sewall came as far as Boston with her to
visit his brother Charles in Danvers, who has been very
sick - Perhaps you have received an account of his illness
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He is now so far recovered as to walk out. -
Who should stop to see us last week, but Mr +
Mrs Packard - They were on a journey with their
little girl - mother went out to the [----]
to speak to them - Mr Wilder has been
a journey to the West - H has received his
dismission from his people previous - + then
he has received a call in Michigan - I have
forgotten the name of the town - He is very
much pleased with the country + I dare
say will settle there - He is expected
back next week - A Mr Baynes an
Englishman has been preaching for his
society - being much liked by some -
but others object, + it is doubtful whether
he will be settled here. - Caroline made
me aware of the difference in the heat of the
weather between this month + last June - by
reminding me of our experience in Spencer.
Her visit there, was about the same time. - [--]
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potatoes + squashes look fine - + Henry’s melons are
flowering - He has over sixty hills, + we are
like to have an abundance - He was much
troubled with the cutworm - I went to Boston
with Caroline, returning the same day - It rained,
which took some from the comfort of the jaunt.
J’s school is flourishing - there are four boys
from Boston boarding with us - I don't doubt it
would have been very pleasant to Ellen on
several accounts to have passed the summer
with you - but I am not surprised she couldn’t
be spared - I want she should make us a
visit of a week or two - We shall not go from
home this summer - mother rides out
occasionally - going several miles - which does
her good - She sends a great deal of love. I am
glad [Mary?] hasn’t had chances to [--] being [--]
she is so troubled with colds - you must
indeed miss your dear little girl - + be
constantly reminded of her - I feel very glad
that I became acquainted with her - tho’ her loss
is felt the more - Tell little Mary that we
have a black kitten, + that the Martins have
driven away the bluebirds + taken possession of
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their box - Our flower garden looks very gay - It
is more forward than our neighbors + is quite
filled with a variety of roses + other flowers.
your writing is always very plain- + mother
never has any trouble to make out your words.
which is more than can be said of the rest
[stamped] JUN 29 CONCORD MAS.
[addressed to, written vertically]
Mr Dennis Ward
Spencer
Mass.
[end of letter]
of us - Love to your wife and little Mary
+ accept the same from your
sister P. -
